WASHINGTON It's not just Todd Akin. The fallout from the Missouri Senate candidate's "legitimate rape" comment was the latest signal that the Republican path to the majority in the Senate may have just gotten tougher.

RICHMOND, Va. Former Sen. George Allen easily defeated three lesser-known conservative Republican challengers Tuesday in Virginia's primaries, earning a shot at regaining the seat he lost six years ago in a race both parties consider critical to controlling the U.S. Senate.